Florence + The Machine fans are wondering if the band, fronted by Florence Welch, could be set for a return to Worthy Farm this summer.
Their tour dates include a conspicuous gap over the weekend of the festival, where the main music line-up runs from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June. After playing a gig in Italy on Thursday 22nd, the next confirmed dates aren’t until Monday 26th when they’ll play three nights across Ireland – potentially leaving time for a stopover in Somerset.
They last featured on the Glastonbury line-up in 2015 when they headlined the Pyramid Stage on the Friday night, stepping in as a late replacement for Foo Fighters after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg. Emily Eavis said at the time: “Once we heard the sad news that Foo Fighters had been forced to pull out, there was only one person we wanted to call and that was Florence. Every time she has played here she’s done something spectacular and we always knew she would headline the Pyramid one day. I’m delighted she’s agreed to step up to it – she’s going to smash it!”
Other previous appearances include 2008, 2009 and a set on the Other Stage in 2010, when Florence joined Dizzie Rascal during his set on the Pyramid Stage.
Bookmakers have recently given odds of 5/1 on Florence + The Machine headlining the Pyramid Stage again this year, making them the 8th most likely according to OddsChecker. This places the band way behind Arctic Monkeys and Guns N’ Roses, who are now joint favourites for the remaining two headline slots. Elton John will headline the Sunday night and is currently the only artist officially confirmed for Glastonbury 2023.
Florence Welch was first booked to play at Glasto back in 2007, for an 11am Sunday morning gig at the Tiny Tea Tent. She told The Times: “I was 20, it was my first time at Glastonbury, and I arrived on Friday with no wellies, no tent and the attitude that whatever happened, happened.”
As it stands, the only confirmed UK festival appearance for Florence + The Machine this summer is Boardmasters, where they headline the Sunday night. The festival takes place in Cornwall from 9th to 13th August.
In other news, Becky Hill has come very close to confirming she’ll be playing at Glastonbury this summer.
In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said: “I’m the first-ever female resident at Ibiza Rocks so that’s so cool. I’m currently working on my new album. All the music is written, we’re just getting it ready to release now. And I’m really hoping to be seen at Glastonbury this year, so fingers crossed”.
Guns N’ Roses basis Duff McKagan appears to have confirmed the band will be playing at Glastonbury after months of strong rumours they’ll be headlining the Pyramid Stage. With only Elton John officially confirmed, the bookies now have the banned pegged as joint-favourites for the two remaining headline slots, along with Arctic Monkeys.
Glasto organiser Emily Eavis told Metal Hammer in 2021: “We had Napalm Death in 2017, and it doesn’t get much heavier than that! But I think Guns N’ Roses need to play here at some point don’t they?”
And back in January 2020, The Sunday Times said: “Guns’n’Roses headlining Friday night Glastonbury [is] looking increasingly likely” – just weeks before almost all of that summer’s festivals were forced to cancel when the pandemic broke out.
Beyoncé is also rumoured after announcing world tour dates which leave open the possibility of an appearance at Worthy Farm.
However, despite earlier rumours of Britpop legends Blur being on the line-up this summer, it’s now looking unlikely the band will be there after drummer Dave Rowntree said: “No one, as far as I know, from Glastonbury has approached us.”
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora told media there’s a chance of a reunion gig at Glastonbury 2023 and The 1975 are rumoured to appear after the long-expected band confirmed tour dates which leave them free over the weekend of the festival. It would be The 1975’s fourth time at Worthy Farm, having previously played sets in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and while they’ve been rumoured most years since they now haven’t been on the line-up for five years, despite countless comments from band members and crew that they want to return.
Pulp are also strongly rumoured to appear on the Glastonbury 2023 line-up after announcing details of a reunion tour next summer – which includes space for a potential Glasto slot. The band were already deemed a likely contender by bookmakers, who in September were offering odds of 9/1 on Pulp headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham has ruled out a Worthy Farm appearance as part of a Spice Girls reunion in a US TV interview – following years of speculation fuelled by her former band mates.
She told Watch What Happens Live: “I had so much fun being in the Spice Girls – but now, with everything else that I have got going on with my fashion and my beauty line, four children, I couldn’t commit to that. love the girls. I really, really enjoy singing Spice Girls when I’m doing karaoke, but I think I’d better leave it there.”
Arctic Monkeys were also rumoured to have signed a deal to headline Glastonbury 2023 when their UK tour sold out in minutes last year. A source told The Sun: “‘Alex Turner and the band are coming back to Glastonbury, and this time their set is going to be even bigger and better.
Image credits:
Anna Barclay
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